Food preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam-based cooking devices are costly due to individual heaters for each chamber and suffer from latency and inefficiency in steam delivery, leading to inconsistent heating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a common steam generator serving multiple chambers, where valves control steam admission based on chamber needs, and the steam generator operates periodically to ensure efficient steam delivery and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual heaters are provided for each chamber, then each chamber can be heated independently, but the machine becomes expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual heaters into a single common steam generator that serves all chambers. The steam generator produces steam that is distributed to multiple chambers through a distribution manifold, eliminating the need for separate heaters in each chamber while maintaining independent heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The common steam generator serves multiple functions by providing steam to all chambers simultaneously or sequentially. This single device replaces multiple individual heaters, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to heat each chamber independently through controlled steam distribution.
2Loss of time
If steam is produced by heating water in each chamber, then steam can be generated locally, but there is significant latency in steam delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator pre-heats water and generates steam in advance before it is needed in the chambers. The steam is stored under pressure in a steam chamber and ready for immediate distribution when valves open, eliminating the latency that would occur if each chamber had to heat water from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a steam distribution manifold as an intermediary between the steam generator and the chambers. This manifold receives steam from the generator and distributes it to multiple chambers through controlled valves, enabling rapid steam delivery without requiring each chamber to have its own heating element.
3Quantity of substance
If water is pumped through heaters at a slow rate to generate steam, then steam can be produced, but the steam delivery is delayed and may be less than intended
Solution Approach 1:
The system skips the slow water-heating phase by pre-generating steam in the steam generator. Once steam is produced, it is rapidly distributed to chambers through open valves, allowing the system to rush through the steam delivery phase without the delays associated with heating water at a slow rate in each chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by generating steam at high temperature and pressure in the steam generator, then delivering it rapidly through controlled valves. This approach allows for both high steam generation rate and accurate quantity control, unlike the slow water pumping method where steam quantity could be compromised by premature valve closure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces production costs, ensures consistent steam delivery, and maximizes heating efficiency by using a more powerful steam generator and optimizing steam distribution across multiple chambers.
Implementation Method 1
the steam generator is operated to produce steam
Implementation Method 2
use steam at least partially to cook the food
Data Source
AI summary
A food heating device includes a plurality of chambers capable of receiving respective food items. The device further includes a steam generator and a plurality of valves for controlling admittance of steam from said steam generator into said chambers. The device is arranged to operate in at least one mode in which during a first period a first one of said valves is open and at least one of said valves remains closed and wherein said steam generator is operated to produce steam for a time less than said first period.